Up the beauty, lighten the work with raised beds

Nathan Wright

50plus Magazine

Spring is here, and with it comes gardening season. If you love gardening but sometimes wish it were a little easier, consider putting in raised beds. In addition to easing the work of tending your flora, raised beds offer multiple benefits. Take a look.

Warmer soil temperatures

Since our spring lasts until late June and fall comes late September, soil temperatures can remain lower than is ideal for plant growth. Raised beds, especially those with some thermal mass like beds made of wall block, allow soil temperatures to rise sooner an d hold longer, making for a better, longer growing season.

Fewer weeds and better soil

Since raised beds are filled with soil, you have the option to fill them with soil that’s superior to what’s on site. Premium topsoil from a landscape shop will generally be weed free and require fewer amendments. Additionally, since the gardening space is contained, there is less waste from anything applied to the area such as water, fertilizer or soil amendments.

Visual Appeal

Incorporating raised beds elevates the aesthetic of an entire space. While flat landscapes can be beautiful, accents of varying heights and blocked contained beds truly create a visual feast.

Easing the work

Finally, there’s the great benefit of easing the physical demand and strain. The added height of a raised bed makes it easier to tend, especially for those with disabilities or those who can’t bend easily.

Built by you, or by the pros. See options and instructions for building raised beds out of wall block at westerninterlock.com/how-to-build-a-stone-planter